South Africa vs New Zealand, Second Test Day 1 Report
All-rounders Ruan de Swardt and Shaun von Berg were leading a South African rearguard on Tuesday as they recovered to 220-6 after New Zealand had dominated the start of the second Test.
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De Swardt had reached his maiden half-century to be 55 not out at stumps on day one, while von Berg was on 34 on his Test debut, with the pair having combined for 70 off 27 overs in Hamilton.
It represented a recovery for the tourists, who won the toss but were 64-3 at lunch and 150-6 early in the final session when key batsman David Bedingham was dismissed in freakish fashion.
After losing the opening Test in Mount Maunganui by 281 runs, an understrength South Africa must win at Seddon Park to avoid becoming the first team from their country to lose a Test series to New Zealand.
De Swardt -- one of six Proteas debutants in the first Test -- showed the specialist batsman how to preserve his wicket in a gritty 135-ball knock.
He received support from 37-year-old leg-spinner von Berg, finally given an international opportunity after playing 135 first class matches.
The pair halted a mini-collapse either side of the tea break inspired by Rachin Ravindra, who took 3-33.
Ravindra, who scored 240 in the first Test, underlined his all-round talent by removing Zubayr Hamza for a painstaking 20 off 99 balls and Keegan Petersen for two.
